Using anti-desiccant spray to protect your evergreen trees and shrubs over the winter.

Start protecting your landscape plants from winter damage with an anti-desiccant spray! Winter damage to evergreen trees and shrubs is caused by desiccation or drying out. Once the ground freezes plant roots are unable to take up water from the soil. Plants are then forced to use the water stored in their needles, leaves, and stems. Harsh cold dry winter winds and freezing temps will also dry out the water that plants need to survive. This loss of essential plant moisture leads to winter plant damage or even death.

An anti-desiccant spray professionally applied to evergreen trees and shrubs will help hold in this vital moisture throughout the winter. If you have problems with winter plant damage in your landscape the experts at 1.888.Lawntec suggests spraying an anti-desiccant.

Anti-desiccants sprays can also be called antitranspirant spray, winter wilt proofing spray, or winter protection spray. The application will provide a protective coating that conserves the amount of water that escapes from the plant. These are usually one time applications applied in the early winter, December is ideal. In areas with longer and colder winters, like New Jersey, anti-desiccants are most effective when applied twice, once in November/December and again in February. However, this can get tricky since temps must be above freezing to make an effective application.

Anti-desiccant sprays go on as a milky white color but will dry into a clear protective sealant. They will gradually break down over the winter and will be gone before spring growth.

Protecting your shrubs and trees with mulch, watering techniques, or burlap.

Some other ways to protect your trees & shrubs from winter would include having a 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch around your trees and shrubs. Watering late into the fall season will ensure that plants are fully hydrated going into the winter. Burlap wrapping of your trees & shrubs can be effective, however, installing it is labor intensive, takes your time and money, and does not look aesthetically pleasing.

Ensure your plants can survive in the climate.

If you're still experiencing plant damage even after a professionally applied anti-desiccant application, the problem is most likely that the plant is not happy with your climate. Such as a southern magnolia tree being planted too far north. Whenever installing new plant material, check the USDA plant hardiness zone map. Find out what climate zone you are in and then make sure that the plants you or your landscaper buy will be 100% healthy and happy in your climate.

So, if you notice that your trees and shrubs look damaged and suffer from winter damage, consider signing up now for an annual anti-desiccant spray service to help protect your landscape investment!